"I couldn't possibly fail to disagree with you less."
22 January 2007The longer we wait, diverse it getsAlan Sullivan looks in the ring and counts the hats:
Democrats are busy congratulating one another on their inclusiveness because a transnational, a woman, a proletarian trial lawyer, and a part-Hispanic are running for their nomination. Meanwhile Republicans can at least celebrate their ecumenism, even if the candidates are all white men. Primary voters can choose between a Mormon, an Episcopalian, a born Catholic, and a fervent Catholic convert. The latter is Sam Brownback, who could split the party in his bid for fundamentalist votes.
Wait a minute. Sam Brownback is white? How are the Democrats supposed to complain about his putative hatred of brown people when his very name exudes brownness? And they're not all niche candidates, but they have niches to fit:
Long shot Tommy Thompson may yet join the race. He's a natural Republican counterpart to Bill Richardson: both of them have the demeanor of meddlesome aunts. Mormon Romney tries for the benevolent older brother; Obama, the winsome younger brother; McCain the crotchety but lovable grandfather. It's one big happy family of candidates. Hillary Clinton? Well, every post-modern family needs a wicked stepmother.
This is right up there with my semi-classic description of Joe Lieberman as "a common scold, occasionally rising to the level of uncommon scold." And I actually voted for the guy, too. Perhaps this suggests something for 2008. Posted at 2:48 PM to Political Science FictionLieberman made some extraordinary statements re Iraq in the weekend Wall Street Journal. Truly a breath of fresh air. I'd vote Democratic if he ran, and he is extremely electable to centrists on both sides of the Great Divide. Obviously, the Dems don't have the wit, integrity or wisdom to see him as the opportunity to grab the White House that he represents. But if the Obamas and the Clintons all cancel each other out in the early wars, there's always a long-shot hope for the guy. At least, the Dems are very much stuck with him - and he knows it. He does not have to toe the party line, the party can't dump him, he does not have to struggle for media coverage, and he enjoys respect among Republicans. Apparently Joe finds this liberating, and he has found a strong voice. I think he's advanced well beyond the level of Common Scold. I think he's reached this plateau of clutter-busting media impact, but more sustainably and minus the spittle-into-the-first-row madness, natch. Posted by: Mister Snitch! at 3:05 PM on 22 January 2007 |